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Somalia forces end Al-Shabaab overnight siege of Mogadishu hotel

The Syl Hotel.

By Hassan Mohamed | Friday, March 15, 2024

Police said three government forces were killed and 27 people were wounded in the attack.

The Somali police force on Friday announced an end to an Al-Shabaab siege on a hotel near State House in Mogadishu. Police said three government forces were killed and 27 people were wounded in the overnight siege.

Five Al-Shabaab militants on Thursday night attacked the SYL hotel located opposite the Presidential palace in Mogadishu. The attackers detonated a car laded with explosives first to gain access to the hotel before storming in and fighting with security forces. The hotel is frequented by senior government officials.

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Somali Police Force Spokesperson Col. Kassim Ahmed Roble said normalcy has been restored at the hotel after government forces intervened, and investigations into how the attackers breached security to attack the hotel are ongoing.

“Last night around 9:30 pm, Al-Shabaab terrorists attacked the SYL hotel. The government forces who responded to the attack engaged the Al-Shabaab fighters and managed to neutralize all of them. There are casualties from the attack, with 27 people injured, including government forces. The hotel is now safe and secured,” Col. Kassim said.

Somalia government spokesperson Farhan Jimale, as well as three Members of Parliament, are among those injured and rescued by government security forces.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited Erdogan Hospital on Friday, where some of the wounded people from the SYL hotel attack are receiving treatment. The President then went to the National Intelligence Security Agency (NISA) headquarters in Mogadishu, where he received a security update on the SYL hotel.

Madaxweynaha JFS Mudane Xasan Sheekh Maxamuud ayaa maanta booqday Isbitaalka Erdogan ee magaalada Muqdisho oo lagu dabiibayo qaar ka mid ah dhaawacyada, mas’uuliyiin iyo muwaadiniin Soomaaliyeed ee ku wax yeeloobay weerarkii argagixisada Khawaarijta ee ka dhacay hotelka SYL.… pic.twitter.com/jE2fKyJTt2
— Villa Somalia (@TheVillaSomalia) March 15, 2024

The SYL hotel is located opposite Villa Somalia State House's main gate and is frequented by senior government officials.

Eyewitnesses recounted hearing a huge blast before seeing smoke bellowing from the SYL hotel in an attack that lasted overnight.

“I heard a huge blast because I live across. Some of the survivors said the hotel was attacked by four Al-Shabaab militants. Government forces rescued survivors and battled with the attackers until this morning,” Al Mohamed, an eyewitness, told The Eastleigh Voice.

“I saw some of the wounded being carried away. It was a terrible attack that went on for a long time," he added.

Mogadishu had experienced a long peaceful spell before the attack. The militant group has since claimed responsibility.

The attack came hours after President Hassan met with senior security officials and commanders at Police Headquarters on Thursday over security.